PRINTER'S NO. 2600

THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA

HOUSE RESOLUTION

No.

571

Session of

2017

INTRODUCED BY DONATUCCI, W. KELLER, TAYLOR, WHITE, ROEBUCK,

D. COSTA, P. COSTA, DERMODY, FRANKEL, YOUNGBLOOD, MARKOSEK,

SIMS, NEILSON, RAVENSTAHL, DeLUCA, V. BROWN, DEASY,

Encouraging Amazon to choose a location in Pennsylvania as the

future home of HQ2.

WHEREAS, On September 7, 2017, Amazon announced that it is

seeking to open a second company headquarters in North America

(Amazon HQ2) and will conduct a comprehensive search to decide

on the location; and

WHEREAS, The HQ2 campus will require up to 8 million square

feet of new space, may cost more than $5 billion to build and

will employ up to 50,000 new full-time employees in the years

major international airport and a location able to attract and

retain strong technical talent; and

WHEREAS, The cities of Pennsylvania have commercial and

noncommercial real estate that is as affordable, if not more so,

than other cities in the United States, comparable in size and

density and its cost of living is below the national average;

and

WHEREAS, Pennsylvania's cities have growing millennial

populations with both Philadelphia and Pittsburgh ranking as

some of the fastest cities for millennial growth of any of the

University, Lehigh University, Villanova University, The

Pennsylvania State University, the University of Pittsburgh,

Drexel University, Temple University and Duquesne University are

all ranked nationally by U.S. News and World Report; and

WHEREAS, Pennsylvania is an international gateway, perfectly

situated for business operations along the northeast corridor

and with close proximity to major cities such as Washington, DC,

and New York; and

WHEREAS, Pennsylvania has a booming, diverse and highly

engaged startup ecosystem; and

Valley and Wilkes-Barre/Scranton that connect its population to

all corners of the nation and world as well as a turnpike system

and convenient highway system to allow free and easy travel; and

WHEREAS, Amazon is interested in investing in an area that is

ripe for development, but also has existing buildings of at

least 500,000 square feet or a green site of approximately 100

acres; and

WHEREAS, Pennsylvania has a wide selection of parcels, both

greenfield and infill, that would meet the criteria established

by Amazon; and

recreation and public green spaces; and

WHEREAS, Pennsylvania's cities have a longstanding commitment

to issues of sustainability and the environment; and

WHEREAS, Pennsylvania's cities are known for their rich

history, vibrancy, affordability, job opportunities, diversity,

culture and nightlife; and

WHEREAS, Pennsylvania's cities would make a perfect

destination for Amazon's HQ2; and

WHEREAS, Pennsylvania has everything that Amazon might need

to sustain and expand its growth and success; and

work to support any large corporation, like Amazon, to locate

within Pennsylvania; and

WHEREAS, Pennsylvania stands ready to support and display all

that this Commonwealth has to offer to Amazon and looks forward

to the possibilities that a long and prosperous relationship

between Pennsylvania and Amazon can offer; therefore be it

RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania urge Amazon to choose one of

Pennsylvania's cities as the future home of HQ2 and stand ready

to work with Amazon to ensure success for both their business